Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin
Rabbi Shurin is the Rosh Midrasha of Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya College of Jewish Studies for Women and a senior faculty member at The David Shapell College / Yeshivat Darche Noam. Rabbi Shurin grew up in New York, and learned in the Chaim Berlin Yeshiva with Rav Yitzchak Hutner, zt"l. After receiving an advanced degree in Guidance and Counseling from Nova University, he moved to Israel in 1977, joining the Kollel and staff of the original Shapell College. A grandson of Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky, zt"l, he spent much time with his grandfather, absorbing his special approach to Tanach and Jewish History. Rabbi Shurin, his wife Esther, and their children live in Neve Yaakov, Jerusalem.

Rabbi Shaya Karlinsky
Rabbi Karlinsky, co-founder and Dean of the Darche Noam Institutions , is one of the Roshei Yeshiva of The David Shapell College / Yeshivat Darche Noam and a senior faculty member at Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya College of Jewish Studies for Women. Rabbi Karlinsky, a Los Angeles native, came to Israel in 1968, learning in Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh, and the Mir Yeshiva, Jerusalem. He received smicha from the ITRI Kollel. After completing a MEd in Educational Psychology at Temple University, he settled in Israel, combining teaching at the original Shapell College, BMT, and Aish HaTorah with work as a photojournalist published in Time, Newsweek, the New York Times and exhibited at the Israel Museum. Rabbi Karlinsky, his wife Ruthie, and their children live in Har Nof, Jerusalem.

Mrs. Lynn Finson
Mrs. Finson serves as the Educational Director of Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya. During her first visit to Israel from America in 1979, Mrs. Finson developed a close relationship with HaGaon Rav Yisroel Ze'ev Gustman, zt"l, which was maintained until his passing. She graduated from Hunter College with an MS in Counseling, was a teacher and counselor at Yeshiva University High School and a counselor at Bruria High School. She also taught a broad range of classes at the Jewish Heritage Center in Queens, and at seminaries in Israel. She, her husband Larry and their children, live in Har Nof, Jerusalem.

Rabbi Shalom Apelbaum
Rabbi Apelbaum's vibrant personality brings his Halakha classes at Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya alive. His dynamic and inspirational style makes his message, even in the most technical of subjects, both informative and uplifting. Rabbi Apelbaum grew up in a modern Orthodox community in Long Island. Shortly after high school he came to Israel, where he studied under Rav Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg Shlit"a. His talents as a teacher and counselor were quickly recognized by the Yeshiva, and he began to work at Torah Ohr teaching such areas as Gemara, Hashkafa, and History, as well as taking on the job of Mashgiach Ruchani for the American program. Rabbi Apelbaum attended Yeshiva University. He currently lives in Beitar with his wife, Michal, and their children.

Mrs. Menucha Chwat
Mrs. Chwat was born and educated in New York. She attended the Beit Midrash Program at Stern College for Women. There she received a solid grounding in the methodology of textual study. She graduated with a degree in Jewish Studies and Political Science. Upon graduation, Mrs. Chwat made aliyah and began teaching at the Ulpan Giyur in Kfar Etzion as well as at other Jewish women’s learning programs. She and her husband are founding members of the settlement Carmei Tzur near Hebron, where they continue to live with their children.

Mrs. Dina Coopersmith
Mrs. Coopersmith grew up in Jerusalem. She received her B.Ed. In Tanach from Michlala Jerusalem College for Women, and a MA in Jewish History from Touro College, Jerusalem. She taught Jewish Studies in numerous schools in Israel, as well as in Toronto, Canada, where she and her husband, Rabbi Nechemia Coopersmith, worked in education and outreach. Dina and her husband and their children live in Maalot Daphna, Jerusalem.

Rabbi Menachem Farber
Before making aliya in 1970, Rabbi Farber lived in New York, and learned in Chaim Berlin and studied poitical science at Brooklyn College. Rabbi Farber was a close Talmid of Rav Yitzchak Hutner, zt"l, and is today a leading expert on Rav Hutner's monumental work Pachad Yitzchak. Since joining the Darche Noam Institutions in 1990, he has gained a reputation as one of the pillars of the institution, continually radiating words of Torah, and serving as a worthy role model for his students. His dedication to his students can be seen in his well-known and enthusiastic participation in the joyous events of the Darche Noam community. Rabbi Farber and his wife Zohar, live in Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem.

Rabbi Avraham Fischer
Rabbi Fischer has a BA in English Literature from Yeshiva University, Smicha from RIETS, and an MA in English Literature from NYU. After serving as Rabbi and educator with a small congregation in New Jersey, Rabbi Fischer made aliya in 1986. He was Director of Jewish Studies at the WUJS Institute in Arad, and continues to teach there as well as at a number of other educational and outreach programs. Rabbi Fischer, his wife Cheryl, and their children live in Beit Shemesh.

Ms. Shprintzee Herskovits
Ms. Herskovits hails from the Upper West Side of Manhattan. She attended Breuer’s Yeshiva and Teachers’ Seminary completing a degree in Judaic Studies. She earned a BS in accounting and a BA in Economics from Hunter College before pursuing a career as a stock analyst on Wall Street for five years. Ms. Herskovits left Wall Street to come to Israel, and joined the teaching staff at Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya. In addition to teaching in our school, Ms. Herskovits is the Program Coordinator of Isralight, in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Mrs. Ruth Karlinsky
Mrs. Karlinsky has been on the Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya staff since 1985. She grew up in Philadelphia and studied at the Bais Yaakov Teachers' Seminary in New York. In 1971, she married Rabbi Shaya Karlinsky and they made aliya soon afterward. Mrs. Karlinsky graduated from Michlala Jerusalem College for Women with a degree in Tanach and Counseling. She also works as a guidance counselor at a girls' high school near Beit Shemesh. The Karlinsky family lives in Har Nof, Jerusalem.

Rabbi Eliezer Kwass
After receiving an MS in Jewish Philosophy as well as smicha from Yeshiva University, Rabbi Kwass made aliyah and learned at Yeshivat Har Etzion. Upon arriving in Israel, he dedicated time to teaching basic Judaism to Russian olim. At Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya, Rabbi Kwass teaches a fundamental class in understanding the basic terminology used in our everyday vocabulary as Orthodox Jews. He also teaches a course that focuses on the various customs of Jewish commandments. Integrating material with practical life experiences, Rabbi Kwass provides all his students with an understanding of the technical and practical sides of the subject matter. In the process they achieve a deeper knowledge of the themes and values being taught. Rabbi Kwass, his wife, Shuly, and their daughter live in Kiryat Moshe, Jerusalem.

Rabbi Yitzchak Lerner
Rabbi Lerner, after completing his BA in International Relations from Concordia University, left his native Canada to begin his studies at Darche Noam/Shapell's in 1992. After three years of study, he went on to learn at Medrash Shmuel and received Rabbinic Ordination from Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg shlit"a. Rav Yitzchak continues his studies at Medrash Shmuel by day, lectures at Heritage House and teaches both at Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya and Yeshivat Darche Noam/Shapell's. Rabbi Lerner's brand of enthusiasm lends itself well to his popular tefilla and Ein Yaakov classes. He, his wife Michelle, and their children live in Beitar.

Mrs. Rose Levine
Mrs. Levine was born in Germany and moved to the United States as a small child. She holds a Hebrew Teacher's diploma from the Yeshiva University Teachers' Institute, a BA in English and Hebrew Literature from Queens College, and an MS in Tanach from the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Yeshiva University. She also studied at the Bogrot program at Michlala Jerusalem College for Women. Mrs. Levine taught in Dov Revel of Forest Hills, Yeshiva of Flatbush High School, Bais Yaakov of Kew Gardens and Michlala. She, her husband Dr. Philip Levine, and their daughters live in Har Nof, Jerusalem.

Rabbi Ron-Ami Meir
Rabbi Meir's Gemara and Halakha shiurim are both exciting and analytical. His carefully designed source sheets reinforce the messages he expounds. Rabbi Meir studied at Yeshiva University, Rav Yaakov Moshe Poupko's Kollel in Jerusalem, and the Kollel Meretz in Mevaseret Tzion. Raised in Winnipeg, he has a BA in Political Science at the University of Winnipeg. He also worked in Israeli journalism, writing and broadcasting for the pioneering Arutz 7 radio station and internet site. He teaches both at Yeshivat Darche Noam/Shapell's College for Men and Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya for Women. Rabbi Meir, his wife and family made aliya in 1987 from New York and now reside in Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem.

Mrs. Deena Nataf
Mrs. Nataf grew up in Los Angeles and received her B.A. in English and American Literature from Brandeis University. She spent six years in Israel, two of which were at Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya, where she was part of the inaugural class. Deena and her husband, Rabbi Francis Nataf, made aliyah in 1995 from Indianapolis, where they taught and were involved in Jewish communal matters. Deena, her husband and their children live in Har Nof, Jerusalem

Rabbi Francis Nataf
Alongside his teaching responsibilities at Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya/Yeshivat Darche Noam, Rabbi Francis Nataf currently serves as Educational Director of the David Cardozo Academy. He has held many senior educational positions in Israel and the United States, most recently serving as Assistant Director of Bnot Chayil College for Women. Rabbi Nataf holds Smicha from Yeshiva University, where he also was awarded an MS in Jewish History. He also has a B.A. in International Affairs from Lewis and Clark College. Rabbi Nataf is a frequent writer and his articles have appeared in such publications as Jewish Action and the Jerusalem Post. He made aliya 7 years ago and lives with his family in Har Nof, Jerusalem.

Mrs. Devorah Rubin
Mrs. Rubin is originally from Monsey, New York. She attended Bais Yaakov of Spring Valley and Gateshead Teachers' Seminary, and studied Education and Judaic Studies at Rockland Community College. Mrs. Rubin was the principal and co-founder of Congregation Ahavas Torah Hebrew School in Monroe, New York, and led the Bais Yaakov Live and Learn Tour for five years. She also taught in the Hebrew Day School of Orange County, Yavneh Academy in Paramus, New Jersey, and Breuer's High School. Mrs. Rubin, her husband Rabbi Moshe Rubin, and their daughters live in Mattersdorf, Jerusalem.

Mrs. Esther Shurin
Mrs. Shurin has taught at Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya since 1985. She grew up in Far Rockaway, New York, graduated from HILI Yeshiva High School and studied at Torah Academy for Girls Seminary and the Teachers' Institute for Women. She has BA degrees in both English and Education from Brooklyn College. She made Aliya in 1977 with her husband, Rabbi Yitzchak Shurin, and has taught in Jerusalem's Bais Yaakov Seminary for 17 years, among other Jerusalem institutions. The Shurin family lives in Neve Yaakov, Jerusalem.

Rabbi Aba Wagensberg
Rabbi Aba Wagensberg serves as the Rabbi Emeritus of the Etz Chaim Center Synagogue of Center City, Philadelphia. Having received his Rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, Rabbi Wagensberg has been a sought after speaker for a wide range of organizations in the United States and abroad. Currently, Rabbi Wagensberg lectures on Parsha and Tefilla at Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya. His exuberant nature makes his classes exciting and popular. Rabbi Wagensberg has created a Torah tape library and is working on publishing his own Novella on the Bible and Festivals. In 2001 he made aliya with his wife, Ariella, and five children and they now live in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Mrs. Golda Warhaftig
Mrs. Warhaftig was born in London, England, and came on aliya in 1968. She studied at Machon Gold and received her teacher's diploma there. She earned a B.Ed in Tanach and Torah Sheb'al-peh from Michlala Jerusalem College for Women. She also studied counseling and works as a parent counselor, in addition to teaching classes at Michlelet Emunah and Yakar. Golda, her husband Rabbi Dr. Itamar Warhaftig, and their children live in Arzei Habirah, Jerusalem.

Rabbi Mordechai Friedman
Rabbi Friedman grew up in Teaneck, NJ. He has smicha from Yeshiva University's RIETS Program. He has a B.A. in Judaic Studies and an M.A. in Medieval Jewish Studies both from YU. Rabbi Friedman has specific expertise in understanding and analyzing the works of Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik z"tl. His classes on the "Rav" are widely attended. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Talmud at Bar Ilan University. He has studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion and Beit Morasha. He is currently a RAM at Yeshivat Eretz HaTzvi. He lives in Katamon with his wife Limor and daughter Noa.

Mrs. Miriam Spitz
Mrs. Spitz, originally from Mexico City, grew up in Far Rockaway, N.Y. She studied in Gateshead Teacher Seminary in the U.K. An experienced educator of students of all ages, Mrs. Spitz's exuberant classroom atmosphere helps students find great meaning and enjoyment in their Judaism. Mrs. Spitz currently lives with her husband and children in Maalot Dafna, Jerusalem.

Mrs. Sara Dena Katz
Mrs. Sara Dena Katz grew up in Providence Rhode Island. She came to Israel in 1986 where she studied at Michlala College for Women. Mrs. Katz has a Bachelors in Education from Empire State University and a Masters in Historical Jewish Thought from Touro College. She has taught at numerous seminaries in Jerusalem where many students have profited from her incisive teaching method. She lives in Har Nof with her husband Rabbi Aharon Katz, Rosh Yeshiva of Derech Etz Chaim, and their children.

Rabbi Eli Lerner
Rabbi Eli Lerner, originally from Brooklyn, NY now Ramat Beit Shemesh, holds degrees from Yeshiva College and The Bernard Revel Graduate School in Jewish History. He learned at Yeshivat Har Etzion in the Gush, for several years and received smicha from Yeshiva University RIETS Program. Rabbi Lerner has developed a style of teaching Halacha that is known for its clarity and depth. Rabbi Lerner is a teacher in several seminaries and yeshivot in Jerusalem alongside his wonderful work at Midreshet Rachel v'Chaya.

Rabbi David Sedley
Rabbi Sedley grew up in Wellington, New Zealand. He studied at the David Shapell College/Yeshivat Darche Noam and Yeshivat Hechal Torah, gaining the necessary foundation for the work he would do as a communal Rav in Edinburgh, Scotland and later in Leeds, England. He and his wife Alit and their 4 children returned to Israel and are living in Har Nof. Rabbi Sedley holds a Masters in Education and is currently working on a Doctorate in Adult Education from Nottingham University.

Mrs. Chana Cass
Mrs. Chana Cass from Buffalo, NY made Aliyah in 1968. For the last 25 years she has been teaching tefilla, Emunah/Bitachon and Shmiras Halashon. A devout student of Rav Shimshon Pincus z"tl, she has incorporated his message of Emunah and Bitachon into her classes. Mrs. Cass is notable for her inspiring trips to Kivrei Tzadkim, where she imbues her students with a real understanding of our greats from long ago. She lives in Ramot with her family.

Rabbi Anthony Manning
Rabbi Manning moved to Israel from England in 2002, giving up a successful career as a partner in a London law firm to become a Rabbi and teacher. He gained his Masters in Law from Oxford University and learned at Yeshivat Etz Chaim in London, Yeshivat Ateret Yisrael in Bayit Vegan, and at the Jerusalem Kollel of Rav Yitzchok Berkovits. He writes a regular column on contemporary Torah-related issues for a national Jewish newspaper in England, and teaches widely in Jerusalem on all aspects of Torah thought and practice. He lives with his wife Sarah and their children in Har Nof.

Mrs. Adina Becker
Mrs. Becker grew up in Australia and made aliyah in 1990. She has a degree in English and Philosophy from the University of Sydney and is also a qualified teacher and substance abuse counselor. Mrs. Becker lives in Givat Shaul with her husband Rabbi Raphael Becker and their six children.

Mrs. Blimi Botwinick
Mrs. Botwinick grew up in Staten Island. She studied at Bruriah High School, Michlala College for Women and Stern College. After getting married, she moved to Los Angeles, where she joined the faculty of YULA. Since her family made aliyah in 1994 she has taught in various seminaries in Jerusalem. Mrs. Botwinick resides in Ramat Beit Shemesh with her husband Rabbi Shraga Botwinick and her family.